Ezekiel 13:18

pillows to all armholes Probably: fillets or bands to all joints of the hand. Heb. appears to read "my hands," which is no doubt an error of transcription; none of the ancient versions reproduces the reading. The term rendered "kerchiefs" probably means veils or coverings to the head, which fell down over the whole body, and were adapted in size to the person to be covered, whether young or old. The language is to be understood literally, and not as a metaphor, with the meaning, to lull into ease and security. Ephrem Syrus already considered the reference to be to amulets worn on the arms, from which responses were brought forth, and the translation cited in the Hexapla as the "Hebrew" renders "phylacteries." Fried. Del. (Baer's Ezek., pp. xii., xiii.) quotes a Babylonian formula of incantation in which reference is made to such fillets and cloths.

souls alivethat come unto you Lit., save souls alive for yourselves, i.e. to your advantage or profit. R.V. marg., souls that are yours, may represent a sense not unusually put upon the words; your own soulsby the earnings of false prophecy.